Please use this topic to discuss the Liberty launch vehicle that combines ATK's five-segment solid rocket first stage with Astrium's liquid-fueled Ariane V-based second stage.

Robert PearlmanEditor

Posts: 27328From: Houston, TXRegistered: Nov 1999

posted 02-08-2011 12:38 AM
The New York Times reports that Liberty would be much cheaper than the Ares I, because the unfinished NASA-designed upper stage would be replaced with the first stage of the Ariane 5.

The Liberty could also solve other issues. Launching from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, it would generate about 300 jobs and make use of facilities that might otherwise sit idle after the space shuttles are retired this year. The Atlas V launches from the neighboring Cape Canaveral Air Force station.

ATK is seeking part of $200 million that NASA will distribute next month for commercial crew efforts. The Liberty’s first test launching could take place in 2013, and it could be ready to carry astronauts two years later.

ATK and Astrium also hope the rocket can compete for future contracts for space station cargo. With an eventual four to six launchings a year, the Liberty could also help reduce the cost of the heavy-lift rocket that NASA is to develop for deep-space missions. The current design of the heavy-lift calls for the same solid rocket motors as the Liberty.

cspgMember

Posts: 4046From: Geneva, SwitzerlandRegistered: May 2006

posted 02-08-2011 01:28 AM
A partnership between the US and Europe, that's an idea!

KSCartistMember

Posts: 2488From: Titusville, FL USARegistered: Feb 2005

posted 02-08-2011 04:02 AM
Excellent news. I like that the companies involved are thinking outside the box. How would the second stage arrive at KSC?

Let's fly this baby!!

garymilgromMember

Posts: 1571From: Atlanta, GA, USARegistered: Feb 2007

posted 02-08-2011 07:21 AM
This seems like a great idea! Go ATK and EADS!

issman1Member

Posts: 888From: UKRegistered: Apr 2005

posted 02-08-2011 07:50 AM

quote:Originally posted by cspg: A partnership between the US and Europe

If Europe does not wish to develop its own manned spacecraft, or be forever reliant on Russia for Soyuz rides to the ISS, then teaming up with an American company makes perfect sense.

alanh_7Member

Posts: 889From: Ajax, Ontario, CanadaRegistered: Apr 2008

posted 05-10-2012 08:01 AM
Not to take anything away from the ATK project. I hope they are able to get a man rated vehicle up and flying by 2015. It just seems to me of late there is a 'flavour of the week' proposal for commercial spaceflight.

I guess that is the concerns Congress has and why they want NASA to focus its resources on one commercial program.

I do not really agree with putting all your eggs in one basket as Congress would have, but I also see the concern Congress has the all these companies going after NASA cash (I know Liberty is not funded by public money) it makes me wonder if any of them will ever fly.

KSCartistMember

Posts: 2488From: Titusville, FL USARegistered: Feb 2005

posted 07-05-2012 11:18 AM

Based on NASA's 15-foot diameter Multi-Purpose Logistic Module design, the LLM will include a common berthing mechanism and will be capable of transporting up to 5,100 pounds of pressurized cargo. With that capability, the LLM could be used to transport four full-size science racks to the International Space Station — along with a team of scientists to perform the associated science.

At my initial launch rate of the Liberty Launch system my first stage will not be recovered for economic reasons.

Jay ChladekMember

Posts: 2211From: Bellevue, NE, USARegistered: Aug 2007

posted 07-17-2012 04:15 AM
Is this first segment going to utilize shuttle SRB casings or new ones? It seems kind of weird to not recover the first stage as one would figure the engineering data that could be gleemed off of a recovered first stage would be very important.

Fra MauroMember

Posts: 1017From: Maspeth, NYRegistered: Jul 2002

posted 07-18-2012 06:53 AM
This company is my personal favorite, the underdog.